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Indigo Bunting Sighting
The world of birds has just become a bit brighter, at least here around my cabin. I’ve just spotted an Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) out at the suet feeder. During the breeding season these brilliant blue birds settle into areas from southern Canada to northern Florida. If you’d like to tempt them to come to…
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Bowman’s Root
Bowman’s Root (Gillenia trifoliata) is a herbaceous perennial that grows to 2-3′ tall. It’s native to eastern North America from Ontario to Georgia. Bowman’s Root is found up here in the mountains along the trails. It’s fun to find blooms with their five-pointed flappy star-like flowers. Right now the bushes are not in bloom, although…
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Much Sought After
Late April into very early May is when Morels, in the Morchella genus, are in the woods up here, waiting to be found. As if the Easter Bunny had placed them to be found. Rain helps them sprout up through the soil. Though edible, Morel consumption needs to be approached with caution. They contain a…
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Dwarf Crested Iris
In bloom right now. Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata) is a striking beauty in miniature form, growing to just 4 to 6 inches tall. It’s native to the eastern United States. The flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies and bees.
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Watching The Blueberry Crop
Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) Eastern Towhees are here in the mountains of central Virginia year round. Their diet is primarily insects, seeds and berries and during the summer they tend, of course, to eat more insects. True bugs, beetles, ants, caterpillars, moths, millipedes, spiders and snails are all on the menu. But there’s something special…
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Mountain Stonecrop
Mountain Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum) “Once established, this prostrate, spreading ground cover needs little, if any, maintenance.” — Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Now that is my kind of plant. A native to much of the eastern United States. As you can see, its flowers are star-like with four points. The leaves are arranged in whorls…
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After the Pink
First comes the bubblegum pink of the Redbud (Cercis canadensis) flowers. Now as the blooms drop to the ground the leaves are making their way into the world. The leaves are first blushed with red then to the green we know through spring and into summer. The green indicates the presence of chlorophyll which is…
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Wineberry Sherbet
Wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius) is an invasive plant, native to Japan, Korea and China. This is what it looks like right now with its red prickly stems and leaves that have white undersides. It grows all over up here in the mountains. Soon there will be luscious berries. Ruby red. Last year many were collected. They’re…
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Wild Ginger a Great Groundcover
Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) is a perennial, herbaceous plant, native to eastern North America. I find it here in the higher elevations. It spreads by rhizomes and makes a lovely groundcover in shade or part shade. I find it doesn’t care for the driest days of hot summer, but responds with appreciation when I water…
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Pinxter Azalea
Roaming the trails up here, you’re going to find Pinxter Azaleas (Rhododendron periclymenoides) blooming with their beautiful pink flowers, here and there. It’s a deciduous shrub that is native from Massachusetts to South Carolina and Tennessee. Spring is unfolding in such a lovely way!